Sturgeon demands a voice in Cameron’s EU renegotiations

First Minister will raise the issue at major summit

Nicola Sturgeon has demanded a say in David Cameron’s EU renegotiation strategy.

The First Minister will today call for the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Governments to have a “direct input” in the UK’s bid to reshape the terms and conditions of membership with Brussels.

During the 24th British-Irish Council Summit in Dublin, the SNP leader will tell UK ministers a formal forum must be established for such talks and devolved administrations must not be ignored.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, she said: “The process currently under way is an opportunity to do that, but it is also vital that the talks being led by David Cameron do not result in trade-offs or deals which threaten the many benefits which the EU delivers to Scotland.

“EU membership supports around 330,000 Scottish jobs while 46% of our total exports, worth almost £13 billion, go to EU countries; it is unthinkable that something of such significance is not given a Scottish context.

“The interests of Scotland are at the heart of all this Government does and I will be making a powerful and positive case for Scotland and the UK’s continued membership of the EU at today.”

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Government’s objective is to renegotiate the UK’s relationship with the EU and to address people’s concerns, and then making the case for the UK to stay in the EU on a reformed basis.

“Of course, we will continue to work with and listen to the Devolved Administrations on a whole range of issues.”

A Conservative source added: “As ever, the SNP are talking about anything other than their own domestic record. I wonder why.”

It came as the Nationalists tabled amendments at Westminster calling for the EU referendum to follow last year’s Scottish independence ballot.

They argued that EU nationals living in the UK and 16 and 17-year-olds to should be allowed to vote.

North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins, the party’s Europe spokesman, said: “If we are going to have a referendum, what we on this side of the House would like to see ... is a gold standard – the gold standard that was met by the Scottish independence referendum.”

Conservative Tom Tugendhat intervened to tell Mr Gethins: “As a former soldier, I have to say how proud I was to serve with many who were 18, 19 and 20 years old – young men who served their country with courage and determination and how pleased I was that we in this country do not use child soldiers.

“I would think that the age of legal responsibility in that sense – whether it be on the frontline or the democratic frontline – I think should be aligned.”

As shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden moved Labour’s amendments to extend the franchise, he said 16 and 17-year-olds could do many things including getting married, entering a civil partnership and paying income tax.